For Challenges #38, #40, #49 and #55 -- Woo Hoo!

Tied For Challenge #33 - Hurray!!!

For Challenge #37 - Woo Hoo!

For The Macabre Monday #006 Challenge!

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Happy Sunday everyone! Today is the kick-off of our third challenge at Stampin Sisters in Christ. The scripture chosen by my BBFF and stampin' sister Kristine is Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." The challenge is Back to School; i.e., encourage our children or a teacher?! If you don't have children/grandkids/nieces or nephews in school right now, and don't know a teacher personally, how about using your old school colors on a card? Or use notebook paper on your cards (write on it, stamp on it, punch some flowers out of it)? Whatever "Back to School" inspires you to create!!

Before I move on to my card, I must say "Amen" to this week's scripture. This must have been written for those of us who have teenagers! I used to think potty training was the hardest part of child rearing until my first child hit the teen years (*LOL*). And then my second. And now my third. And soon my fourth. If you haven't been through it yet, buckle your seatbelt... you're in for a ride!

Mind you, I'm very fortunate. The worst Paul and I have had to deal with is sassy mouths, bad grades, messy rooms and a lot of arguing. How have we managed to accomplish that? I think mainly because we've stayed connected with our boys and actively involved in their lives. I'm not going to write a sermon or preach on child rearing, because I have no right to... I've made plenty of mistakes as a mother, and my kids are far from perfect. But I do remember someone who I admired very much as a parent once say to me that if you raise your kids right, and love them all the time, you'll surely think it was all for nothing and that you've lost them during the teen years, but they will come back around. And indeed they do. Two out of four so far for me. I even hear the two older ones getting on the two younger ones for things we once got on them for. Let me tell you, that makes a mother's heart feel so good!

I also figured out that God gives us the teenage years so that we can eventually let our children go. If they were always like they are when they are little, sweet and innocent and compliant, completely gullible and lovable all the time, we'd never be able to let them fly the coop. And they must. So the teenage years are there for us to come to terms with the fact that we can, in fact, let our free-thinking, stubborn, know-it-all children move on to live their own lives and learn their own lessons... and hopefully have their own children to love and raise, and their own mistakes to make. And if we've set them on a firm foundation, they will be just fine. God gave us this instruction, pure and simple. And, of course, He's right!

My card is made with a super cute digi image is from the Back to School collection by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. There is a girl version, too! If you haven't visited the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps webstore lately, you should! Not only are all stamps and digi images 25% off, but new digis are being added every week, and they are too cute to resist! There are lots of fall and winter digis available right now, which I'm loving since I'm a fall/winter girl!

I'm planning to save this card to give to Avery when he gets his report card. I figure the power of positive thinking can't hurt. Plus, I'm pretty sure he'll get at least one A. He's a pretty good little student, my Avery. I sure love that kid! My baby...who will soon be a teenager. (*sniff*)

I hope you'll join us in this week's challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. There's an awesome prize up for grabs, and three will be selected to receive the Shining Star award!

9 comments:

Super duper cute card Lisa... Positive reinforcement is what it's about and this definately applies! :) Wow... does all that you said there apply to GIRL teenagers too?? I can't imagine ever letting mine go, and I do tend to be overprotective, like this last year when my daughter had a bad substitutie for over a week and by about day 3 I actually went in and sat in her classroom so I could get a feel for this man myself! Poor Carly got the 3rd degree from her friends at lunchtime. :( And my 15 yr. old niece went through some major threatenings etc. at school last year and it just breaks my heart. Luckily my girls are reading their Bibles all by themselves and I hope they will remember how much Jesus loves them in those difficult times when their "friends" turn on them.

Thanks so much for your words huh. I know the times-a-comin'! LOL. Love and Hugsx

Fabulously bright and cheery - love your card! But your words too have sooo much truth in them - teenagers!!! A tough time for them AND us - they have soo much to learn and experience but think they know it all already! Loving them and a good basic structure will see most of them turn into wonderful adults - AND we get to enjoy gentle reminders of themselves as teenagers when they have their own - a time my mother is enjoying most profoundly atm - LOL.Am finding my feet so hope to find time to play along this week!xXx

While I am not looking forward to the teens, you are so correct, because they do come back around. My hubby and I are proof of that. Some just need to sew their wild oats so to speak, but God grabs a hold at just the right time and steers them back on the road less traveled :). Praise the Lord for his goodness and mercy!

Sweet card Lisa!! You always know how to work the DP's so well that they balance together.... You RULE! And the cool border effects and sentiment is PERFECT!!

I can't believe Avery is going to be a TEEN soon! In his photo's he looks younger, and I'm sure he doesn't want to hear that... ha! Well, the dryer is calling me now, so have a super evening! Hugs... sweet dreams! :)